Rocky Mountain Element 999 RSL T.O. first look New XC race rig is lighter, stiffer and faster than ever Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Whatsapp Share on Reddit Email to a friend By Russell Eich Published: November 24, 2016 at 12:00 pm This is Rocky Mountain’s 2017 XC race bike, the Element 999 RSL Russell Eich / Immediate Media 120mm leads the way courtesy of a Fox 34 Float Factory fork Russell Eich / Immediate Media The Fox Float DPS Factory features a remote to lockout the bike’s 100mm of rear squish Russell Eich / Immediate Media As is the norm, cables run inside the carbon frame Russell Eich / Immediate Media A large cable exit on the main frame simplifies routing Russell Eich / Immediate Media The seat tube is offset for crankset clearance Russell Eich / Immediate Media There’s room for two water bottles inside the main frame triangle Russell Eich / Immediate Media XC is getting fun, a RockShox Reverb Stealth dropper post comes stock Russell Eich / Immediate Media The dropper post enters on the front side of the seat tube Russell Eich / Immediate Media Stan’s carbon Valor wheels are on board Russell Eich / Immediate Media Maxxis Ikon 3C 2.2 inch tires are fitted Russell Eich / Immediate Media SRAM’s XX1 Eagle handles the shifting action Russell Eich / Immediate Media XC isn’t skinny anymore, 760mm Race Face Next carbon bars are a healthy width Russell Eich / Immediate Media Rocky Mountain takes care of the stem with a 35mm bar clamp Russell Eich / Immediate Media With a dropper post and rear shock lockout, there are five cables squirreling up the front end Russell Eich / Immediate Media